Disclaimer: Characters owned by Stephanie Meyer
March, 2012
~16~
A small pile of receipts has formed beside me as I methodically check the names of everyone that purchased meat at J&J Butchers on April the thirteenth. Lucky for me, the small business keeps its receipts two full years for tax purposes, and even more fortunately, a time stamp is provided next to the date.
Edward and I had been to the café around 4:00 PM, a short time after school let out. We had sat and talked for over an hour.
"Where do you see yourself after graduation Edward?"
"With you…" Edward teases, his hand absentmindedly drawing designs on my thigh.
I sigh. Does he not understand that while he can afford to go to any school in the Continental US, my options are limited? That if I don't get some sort of scholarship, its community college for me?
A cop's salary is pretty limited after all.
Edward pokes me lightly in the ribs and seeks out my eyes. "Smile my beautiful girl. Nothing will go wrong. I won't let it."
Finding the receipts that fall under that date and then that time period took the better part of an hour, but now, as I check the names each credit-card purchasing consumer left on the white slips of paper, I feel like I'm trying to find a needle in a haystack. Will it even be a name that I know?
A few more are tossed aside before I freeze.
Emmett McCarty.
I know that name. Head of security for Cullen Pharmaceuticals Inc., the company that made Dr. Carlisle Cullen and his family wealthy beyond reason. Hell, CPI made half the people in this town millionaires when it gained success. I remember seeing Emmett McMarty, dressed in his characteristic suit, at the Cullen's house all the time. He was usually holed up in Carlisle's office, or off in some part of the enormous house that I never saw, but once he drove Alice and I to the mall for some "emergency shopping".
Emmett McCarty is not one to buy his own meat, especially not during work hours, which I assume 4:32 PM was when his purchase was made. Too bad he decided to buy his supper while obviously on an errand for Carlisle. Shit, maybe he bought something just to cover for his presence being in the butcher shop that day.
Too bad he decided to pay for it using a credit card.
And I become resolute. Whatever reason Carlisle Cullen had for scaring my mom and driving her out of town, I will find out. I cannot spend any more time in fear that something will happen to me, to my dad. I cannot be victimized by the rich bastards that infest this town any longer.
Despite my careful avoidance, thoughts of Jessica Stanley's party last September come unbidden to my head. Isn't it the classic high school tale? Girl gets bullied by rich East-Enders. Girl decides she doesn't care what they think and attends one of their parties. Girl wakes up in a bed with no underwear.
Somebody could write a fucking book.